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History, B.A.

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Humanities - department

Overview

Requirements

Majors

Minor

Program Title

History, B.A.

Program Code

BA_HIST_N

Department(s)

Humanities - department

College/School

School of Liberal Arts

Program Level

Undergraduate

Program Description

Perhaps you recall the history lessons from your high school days as the tedious memorization of names and dates. In fact, the History B.A. at Mercy University treats the past as a living thing that continuously shapes contemporary politics, society, and culture. Our courses span the local to the global and from the ancient to the modern world. Through these courses, students learn to effectively navigate vast amounts of information, critically analyze primary and secondary sources, synthesize cogent narratives and informed conclusions, and communicate their ideas clearly and convincingly across a variety of mediums. This skillset prepares students for rewarding careers in the fields of education, law, government and social service, museums, libraries, business, administration, and the nonprofit sector. It also transforms students into engaged global citizens and conscientious historical actors in their own right. Students who are specifically interested in becoming educators should consider the History B.A./Adolescence Education M.S. Dual Degree Program (4+1 Program) which allows future educators to complete undergraduate and graduate degree requires at an accelerated pace.

Program Information

Caitlin Wiesner, Ph.D., Program Director
(914) 888-5134
cwiesner@mercy.edu 

Bachelor of Arts: History

General Education Requirements*

42 credits

Major Concentration

36 credits

Open Electives

42 credits

Total Credits

120 credits

*Per New York State Education Department requirements, all students enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts program must successfully complete 90 credits of Liberal Arts and Sciences coursework. If needed, students should use Open Elective credits to fulfill these requirements, beyond their General Education courses, and look for courses with the “LA” attribute when registering.

Note(s)

The major concentration in history has a 21-credit residency requirement.

Please note that the history major’s course numbering system reflects the different types and objectives of courses offered at each level. The different course levels are not distinguished by the amount of work expected, but rather by their objective, background knowledge they presume, and complexity of the ideas presented to students.

100-level courses

These courses are open to all students and are intended to provide a basic understanding of the history of peoples and geographic regions over relatively long time spans. They will provide students with the background necessary for more advanced study and most meet the University’s General Education requirements. They are appropriate for all students at every level of the institution.

Courses include: 

  • course European History to 1500

  • course European History Since 1500

  • course American History Through 1877

  • course American History Since 1877

  • course Introduction to Asian History

  • course Introduction African History

  • course Intro Latin American History

  • course Special Topics in History

200-level courses

These courses are largely open to all students (a few may require Prerequisites in addition to successful completion of course) and are intended to be a more focused examination of a particular group, smaller geographic region, or more contracted time frame. They will provide students with more advanced study on a comparatively smaller subject. They are appropriate for majors and non-majors, but are not suitable for incoming freshmen or new transfer students without prior history credits. By having a narrower focus, the ideas and complexity of the course is greater than those offered at the 100-level. Note: this does not apply to course.

300-level courses

A larger number of these courses may require Prerequisites. These courses have narrower foci and introduce more complicated theoretical models and historiography. They are intended for majors, but will admit non-majors who meet admission requirements. Non-majors interested in the subject or possessing modest background knowledge can be successful in these courses.

400-level courses

Capstone course taken during senior year.

Additional Program Information

The 4+1 Program

History majors planning on pursuing a career in teaching Social Studies at the Middle Childhood and/or Adolescence Education level may apply to the Four-Plus-One Program, offered jointly by the School of Education and the School of Liberal Arts. The program is designed to allow majors to begin their Graduate Education coursework during their upper junior year. These courses will be counted jointly towards their undergraduate and graduate degrees. For specific program eligibility and requirements, please refer to the School of Education section.